Merriam-Webster, the leading global Word dictionary has taken note of the new words that are increasingly getting popular and being used frequently in online as well as offline channels. A total of 150 new words have been included in their online as well as print editions for 2014.

Merriam-Webster generally update their dictionary words every year, however, they did not have an update last year. The 150 new words that have been included in this year’s edition clearly show that words that were specifically used on social platforms are now entering the traditional language.

In a update published on their website, Merriam-Webster points out, “These new additions to America’s best-selling dictionary reflect the growing influence technology is having on human endeavor, especially social networking, once done mostly in person.”

Another interesting aspect is that generally a new word takes a long time (atleast a couple of decades) before it becomes mainstream upon which it is included in the dictionary. With the new words that have come about in this social networking age have taken less than 5 years to become mainstream!

Out of the 150 new words included, Merriam-Webster have mentioned only sample 15 words. Even these sample words clearly point to the fact that most of them have originated in tech and social space.

Here are the sample 15 new words released by Merriam-Webster and their short description as per the dictionary

Steampunk

Hashtag:

(noun) A word or phrase preceded by the symbol # that classifies or categorizes the accompanying text (such as a tweet)

Big Data:

First Known use – 1980

(noun) An accumulation of data that is too large and complex for processing by traditional database management tools

Yooper:

First Known use – 1977

(noun) A native or resident of the Upper Peninsula of Michigan —used as a nickname

Fracking:

First Known use – 1953

(noun) The injection of fluid into shale beds at high pressure in order to free up petroleum resources (such as oil or natural gas)

Turducken

First Known use – 1982

(noun) A boneless chicken stuffed into a boneless duck stuffed into a boneless turkey

Tweep

First Known use – 2008

A person who uses the Twitter online message service to send and receive tweets

Even food seems to be as popular a category as is Technology!

[Note:Generally, Print edition dictionaries are different than online dictionaries. Online dictionaries are updated often, infact few times a year, but print editions are update only after a new word goes mainstream]

Arun Prabhudesai is founder / chief editor at trak.in. He jumped the Entrepreneurship bandwagon in early 2008 after a long 13 year stint in I.T Industry. You can follow him on twitter @trakin and Facebook.Arun’s Google+ Profile